What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high energy acoustic waves to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. This therapy can be used to relieve pain and promote healing of injured tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues by releasing growth factors in the injured tissue.
This modality can be used on a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions, with particular emphasis on conditions affecting tendons and their insertion into bones. Amateur and professional athletes alike experience a range of conditions that may respond well to Extracorporeal Radial Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) such as: Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondylosis), Golfer’s elbow (Medial epicondylosis), Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonopathy, and Jumper’s knee (Patellar tendinosis) for example.
Why Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy (sometimes called ESWT for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) is often used in combination with other therapies such as chiropractic and physical therapy. It is effective at treating tendinopathy and other difficult-to-heal ligament injuries. How does it work? Using a probe, the device sends focused shockwaves into the injured tissues. This stimulates increased blood flow and growth hormones to the area which promotes new tissue growth.
How does Shockwave Therapy work?
Using a probe, the device sends focused shockwaves into the injured tissues. This stimulates increased blood flow and growth hormones to the area which promotes new tissue growth.
Is Shockwave Therapy effective?
Researchers have documented the effectiveness of shockwave therapy to reduce pain and promote accelerated healing in bone, tendon, ligament, and fascia in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Treatments are non-invasive.
How long does it take?
Each session takes between 5 and 10 minutes. Patients usually require 4 to 10 treatment sessions over a period of several weeks. Relief typically begins immediately.
What injuries can be treated with shockwave therapy?
- Foot pain: plantar fasciitis and Achilles’ tendinopathy
- Achilles’ tendinopathies
- Knee pain: patella tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
- Leg pain: hamstring injuries
- Hip pain: rectus femoris and lateral hip pain with gluteal tendinopathies
- Elbow pain: Little League elbow and tennis elbow
- Shoulder pain: rotator cuff injuries
- And many more